Another UConn-ND Final?

[Bigpetunia]

I dunno, I suppose this is very good news for every other team out there, given my traditional prognostication (dis)abilities, and, yes, I know there’s still a ways to go, but I nevertheless think you can put this one in the book.

I never cease to be impressed by the pivotal role of coaching in the women’s game, often much moreso than in the men’s. Somehow, in the hands of the very best coaches, young women seem considerably more willing to “buy into” the system than on the men’s side, more likely to abandon a schoolyard-type game for a sound team-oriented approach. For that reason, I think the perennially second best-coached team in the country is headed for yet another showdown with the first.

Like many of my fellow posters, I “hate” ND, but I think it would be folly for us not to give Muffett her well-deserved due. If ANY of us had been told one year ago that Jewell would depart, that Reimer would depart, that Patberg would be a season-loss to injury, how many of us would have given MM a snowball’s chance to repeat as coach of the probable Number Two team? I don’t watch all that much WCBB other than UConn games, but this week I had occasion to watch two: ND vs Miami and Tenn vs SC. ND, despite its misfortunes, looked like a Geno-coached team - outstanding spacing, crisp passing, purposeful offense, super-aggressive defense, all of the hallmarks we associate with our own favorite squad. The talent, and the scoring ability off the bench are especially formidable. Yes, I tend to respect Dawn, but not one of the remaining three teams, heading into tourney-time, looked to belong in the same stratosphere. UConn and ND, on the other hand, are both even better-prepared teams now than they were back when they played…the others? Fuhgetaboutit!

Watching the evolution of the WCBB season is always interesting because the best-coached teams seem to inevitably, at every juncture, be pointing toward the post-season and improving accordingly. ND is looking like it’s now maybe just one good post-player away from being pretty damned dominant. Maybe they’ll trip up, and FSU will shortly put some well-deserved egg on my face, but I doubt it. Looks to me like ND’s a clear choice to make a successful run to yet another final! If so, begrudgingly or not, hats off to them!!

 

[HoopsFan21]

Muffet should get coach of the year. If we met them in a final, I wouldn't be surprised if they beat us. They only lost by 10 on our home floor and that was without Turner, so they're slowly but surely closing the gap again.

 

[UcMiami]

On the women's coaches having more impact - absolutely! It is amazing what can be accomplished in 4 years versus the men's coaches having only a year or two to work with their athletes.

 

[Goodgood]

Muffet should get coach of the year. If we met them in a final, I wouldn't be surprised if they beat us. They only lost by 10 on our home floor and that was without Turner, so they're slowly but surely closing the gap again.

I, on the other hand, would be very surprised if they beat us in the final, if they even make it there.

 

[EricLA]

I, on the other hand, would be very surprised if they beat us in the final, if they even make it there.

I tend to agree. Much like the SC game, UCONN was up by over 20 with about 7 or 8 to go in the game, and then ND went on a run with a barrage of 3 pointers to get the game closer. Much like the SC game where UCONN was up by over 20 - the game was never in doubt, but a late frenzy by the other team made final score closer than the game felt...

 

[01Neaggrad02]

Muffet should get coach of the year. If we met them in a final, I wouldn't be surprised if they beat us. They only lost by 10 on our home floor and that was without Turner, so they're slowly but surely closing the gap again.

The lost last year without Turner... and then again with Turner.... so that really is neither here nor there.
I would love to see someone else in the final with UCONN... the ND is turning into Tennessee... Time for some new blood.

 

[Bayareahusky]

I have always thought ND is bound for the NCAA finals vs us...... Muffet does a very good job.....

I think though that destiny is in place for Morgan Stewie and MoJeff to complete the four-peat.....

I like the progression and improvement of the freshmen..... Gabby will play a big role too i think

 

[01Neaggrad02]

The interesting thing no matter which way it goes... with ND being 2/3 or South Carolina being 2/3.... if all holds out again they would meet in the semi finals again...I think South Carolina could beat ND....

 

[Carnac]

If the top 4 ranked teams retain their current rankings, Notre Dame and South Carolina will be on the same side of the bracket, meaning they will face each other in the semi-final round of the final four. If you recall, SC was only a rebound away from beating ND last year. An "air-ball" put back won it for the Irish by 1. If SC rebounds that missed shot, they send ND home, and play for the championship 2 days later.

I expect all of the 1 seeds to meet in Indiana in April. UConn can beat Baylor (no consistent outside shooting) in the other semi final game. Baylor's two bigs are freshmen, and may not be ready to perform in late post season play on a stage of this grandeur. It won't be easy, but Baylor will fall. I can't say who will emerge from the other side of the bracket; it's too close to call. Like last year, it may come down to the last shot. Sometimes the fate of these games rest in the hands of the players.

 

[pacific 44]

Barring any major upsets,i would see N.D.playing S.C.and Uconn playing Ohio State,Maryland,or Baylor in the final four.The N.D.and S.C.game was a one point victory for N.D. last year on a wild putback by Cable in the closing seconds and i wouldn't guarantee they get to the final if this schedule plays out again,although i would bet that Muffit would find a way to win it.Her teams found a way to beat Uconn 7 out of 8 times in one stretch when no one else could beat them.Of course the Uconn players had green nail polish scratched into their bodies and N.D. was flopping like a fish out of water but hey,they found a way.Since the Stewie,MoJeff,Tuck era the talent gap has been too large and no amount of their shenanigans can bridge that cavernous of a difference.But,as i say,i would give S.C.a 45%chance of beating N.D..I would give Uconn an 80%chance in the semis and a 70%chance in the final regardless of which ones of these teams they played.

 

[malevocalist#]

Now don't be surprise if a team (Tournament Time Unknown) to us at the moment pulls an upset against ND. Because anything can happen during the tournament... See: Louisville vs #1 Baylor.

God forbid it happens to Uconn. Because I am sure we will be there.

And as much as I never get tired of Uconn beating ND, I'd rather see some new blood. Rematch with SC anyone?

Anyway this is going to be an interesting tournament. Because teams like Maryland, Baylor, & Ohio State cannot be taking for granted in the tournament at all. Texas so so.

 

[DogWarden]

I predict a ND vs. UConn final in ENEMY (or ENEMA) territory. I'll be there in Blue and White and have the LAST LAUGH!!!

 

[Go/huskies]

Barring any major upsets,i would see N.D.playing S.C.and Uconn playing Ohio State,Maryland,or Baylor in the final four.The N.D.and S.C.game was a one point victory for N.D. last year on a wild putback by Cable in the closing seconds and i wouldn't guarantee they get to the final if this schedule plays out again,although i would bet that Muffit would find a way to win it.Her teams found a way to beat Uconn 7 out of 8 times in one stretch when no one else could beat them.Of course the Uconn players had green nail polish scratched into their bodies and N.D. was flopping like a fish out of water but hey,they found a way.Since the Stewie,MoJeff,Tuck era the talent gap has been too large and no amount of their shenanigans can bridge that cavernous of a difference.But,as i say,i would give S.C.a 45%chance of beating N.D..I would give Uconn an 80%chance in the semis and a 70%chance in the final regardless of which ones of these teams they played.

That had a lot to do with Skylar Diggins and the confidence she instilled in her team. It, hard to beat a team 3 times in a season, Diggins would have had to beat Uconn a 4th time to win it all, just about impossible.

 

[rugbymate]

The ND game was kind of fluky in that they shot 65% from 3 point land on 20 attempts. lets see them do that again given they are shooting threes at 41.1% for the year. They got behind big and launched them from everywhere and they were falling. Won't happen again. Turner might have helped them somewhat but wouldn't have been a difference maker. If we play them , we will win by a 15+. Muffett should be congratulated for a great year but I like what BF has done with her Maryland team and am more concerned about them than ND.

 

[ricky]

I, on the other hand, would be very surprised if they beat us in the final, if they even make it there.

So much of the world wants ND to get the NC this year. I believe the refs will make it happen. They will take Tuck out of the offense by no call fouls whenever she tries to score. I'm starting to see this trend with Temple and now Cincinnati.

 

[chrissaran]

A UConn ND matchup in the championship game would not surprise me. Don't forget that Katie Lou, Napheesa and Natalie will have a lot more game experience.

 

[Huskie78]

I don't want ND anywhere near the final four!
Being as the the final four is in Indy.
I live in South Bend and would never hear the end of it if they would get lucky and
*shivers* win it??
On the other hand, if the Huskies beat the Irish IN INDY, ND fans will never hear the end of it from me!!
Go HUSKIES!!!

 

[HardHatGuy#2]

No question about Muffett's coaching ability. If anyone questions that, let me know and I'll give them the URL for the minor league board (UT's).

JK. Don't yell at me for that comment, it was just fer funsies.

As for ND getting closer to competing with us, I think they are no closer than anyone else. NOT having Turner what what made that game so close. We had to plan for a couple of different teams defensively, as opposed to planning for a team that went through the post, first. Instead, Cable had the game of a lifetime (who the heck game planned for Cable before that game?!?) and threw us off balance, making the game competitive. I'd MUCH rather see Turner in there if we meet them again; does anyone think she is better in the post than Wilson or Coates? I didn't think so. We'd shut her down, which would put ND off balance, and we'd win by 20, IMO.

I think there is a significant gap between UConn and everyone else. The USC game gave Geno the confirmation that he was looking for, and I think that he started playing for the contingencies tonight against Cincinnati, by playing the bench so hard. AND they stepped up, if you ask me. We are getting more dangerous every game.

 

[HoopsFan21]

No question about Muffett's coaching ability. If anyone questions that, let me know and I'll give them the URL for the minor league board (UT's).

JK. Don't yell at me for that comment, it was just fer funsies.

As for ND getting closer to competing with us, I think they are no closer than anyone else. NOT having Turner what what made that game so close. We had to plan for a couple of different teams defensively, as opposed to planning for a team that went through the post, first. Instead, Cable had the game of a lifetime (who the heck game planned for Cable before that game?!?) and threw us off balance, making the game competitive. I'd MUCH rather see Turner in there if we meet them again; does anyone think she is better in the post than Wilson or Coates? I didn't think so. We'd shut her down, which would put ND off balance, and we'd win by 20, IMO.

I think there is a significant gap between UConn and everyone else. The USC game gave Geno the confirmation that he was looking for, and I think that he started playing for the contingencies tonight against Cincinnati, by playing the bench so hard. AND they stepped up, if you ask me. We are getting more dangerous every game.

I think Cable is their 3 point specialist, so I can't imagine no one thought about her making a bunch from beyond the arc. It's not like she's never done it before.

 

[mhshuskies]

n

Muffet should get coach of the year. If we met them in a final, I wouldn't be surprised if they beat us. They only lost by 10 on our home floor and that was without Turner, so they're slowly but surely closing the gap again.

NONSENSE, Stewie and Mo won't let that happen.

 

[baggerbob]

South Carolina better hope they don't get Ohio St, or Maryland on their side of the bracket, they might not be able to score enough to win.

 

[cockhrnleghrn]

Obviously, I want to win the national championship, but don't most of us wish there were more upsets in the women's tournament like in the men's tournament? I just wish there was more depth of talent in the women's game to allow that to happen.

 

[cockhrnleghrn]

South Carolina better hope they don't get Ohio St, or Maryland on their side of the bracket, they might not be able to score enough to win.

I'll take defense over offense when it gets down to crunch time. The Gamecocks beat a lot of good teams on neutral courts or on the road this season and they're used to winning close games - UCLA, Arizona State, Texas A&M, etc. I'd love to beat Maryland for a trip to Indy, since my brother, SIL and nephew all graduated from there.

 

[Wbbfan1]

Ohio State and Maryland are the teams that could crash into the Final Four over any of the #1 Seeds. Ohio State is not the same team that UConn crushed by 44 points. While I do expect UConn to beat OSU if they're in the same bracket, it would be a much closer game. Besides having the two or some say three best College players the game would be at Bridgeport. A home crowd for UConn.

IMHO Baylor and So Carolina are the #1 seeds that could lose before the F4 as they may not have enough offense against some teams.

 

[TerpWomenFan]

I think because of Maryland's poor OOC schedule, (They are only 2-3 against top 50 teams this season.) they will be the overall 8th or 9th best team so they will be in UConn's bracket. I think South Carolina will be playing a team like ASU or Oregon State in the Elite 8. Notre Dame will be playing either Texas or Ohio State in the Elite 8.